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Diabetic And Retinal Disease Specialist

Friedberg Eye Associates P.A. -  - Ophthalmologist

Friedberg Eye Associates P.A.

Ophthalmologists & Optometrists located in Woodbury, NJ & Mullica Hill, NJ

Diabetic eye disease is a common complication of chronically high blood sugar. Friedberg Eye Associates offers preventive care for patients with diabetes, as well as treatment for patients who have already started to show symptoms of diabetic eye disease. A healthy retina is essential for good vision. For this reason, diseases that affect the retina require appropriate and effective treatment. Friedberg Eye Associates offers diagnosis and treatment to patients in Woodbury, New Jersey who are experiencing symptoms of retinal diseases.

Diabetic and Retinal Disease Q & A

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a group of conditions caused by diabetes. The most common diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy. However, other eye problems that may be related to diabetes include glaucoma and cataracts.

What causes diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease usually occurs because of damage from high blood sugar levels. In the case of diabetic retinopathy, the disease occurs because of changes in the retina’s blood vessels. In people with poorly controlled diabetes, these vessels can swell and begin to leak. Eventually, this can lead to vision loss and even blindness.

What are the symptoms of diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic retinopathy may not cause any symptoms in its earliest stages. As the condition continues to worsen, however, patients may notice blurred vision and progressive vision loss.

Glaucoma usually causes patchy blind spots in the central or peripheral vision that may worsen over time. Cataracts cause a variety of vision changes, including blurriness, seeing halos around lights, sensitivity to light, problems with night vision, and more. Any patient who experiences troubling symptoms and has a history of diabetes should make an appointment with Friedberg Eye Associates as soon as possible.

Can diabetic eye disease be prevented?

Diabetic eye disease is often preventable. To prevent diabetic eye disease, Friedberg Eye Associates encourages patients with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar carefully and follow their doctor’s instructions for controlling it. Patients can also prevent diabetic eye disease by scheduling regular eye exams with the doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates. During these appointments, the doctors will be able to identify subtle changes that indicate the beginning of diabetic eye disease. Identifying these conditions early will allow the doctor to treat the problem before it becomes more serious.

What treatments are available?

The doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates often treat diabetic retinopathy with laser surgery. During this procedure, the doctor directs a strong beam of light onto the retina to shrink swollen blood vessels. This can reduce the risk of severe vision loss in the future. However, laser surgery won’t restore any vision the patient has already lost.

Treatments for glaucoma and cataracts are also available. Diabetic patients with these conditions typically have access to the same treatments as other patients.

What is the retina?

The retina is a layer of tissue found on the back wall of the eye. It contains nerve cells and light-sensitive cells that are responsible for receiving and organizing visual information. After processing this information, the retina sends signals to the brain that allow the individual to understand what they’re seeing.

What are retinal diseases?

A retinal disease is any condition that affects a part of the retina. Some diseases of the retina damage the central vision, while others damage peripheral vision. In some cases, retinal diseases can even lead to total blindness for the patient.

Some examples of retinal diseases include retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. Floaters, holes in the retina, and scar tissue are also examples of retinal disease.

What causes retinal diseases?

Retinal diseases have a variety of causes. For example, both retinal detachment and macular degeneration are more common with age. Diabetic eye disease, on the other hand, is caused by a history of high blood sugar.

What treatments are available?

The treatment for retinal disease depends on the patient’s specific diagnosis. In most cases, the goal of treatment is to prevent further damage and/or repair problems contributing to the disease.

For patients with retinal detachment, surgery is often required. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that must be treated promptly to prevent permanent vision loss. Patients with macular degeneration or diabetic eye disease may respond to a number of different treatments, including eye drops, oral medication, surgical procedures, and more.

Because each case of retinal disease is unique, it's important for patients to see an experienced doctor who can help them find the right course of treatment. The doctors at Friedberg Eye Associates have many years of experience treating retinal diseases, and they can provide patients with accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and supportive services.

What are the possible complications of retinal diseases?

Without proper treatment, retinal diseases can lead to a number of complications. Some diseases result in progressive vision loss or pain. In some cases, patients may lose their sight entirely. For this reason, any patient with the symptoms of retinal disease should make an appointment at Friedberg Eye Associates as soon as possible.